With the arrival of summer, the possibilities for outside exercise give us permission to get out of our house, safely get active with our families, and take in the nature that surrounds us.
Summer can also bring high temperatures that are, at times, difficult to wrestle with when exercising outdoors. Whether you are running or walking, please stay safe, cool, and in motion when it is the right time for you.
Consider these tips for optimizing healthy motion this summer:Early bird gets the worm! Switch your normal routine to early morning before the sunrises. Stick to activities that combat the heat like running, biking, and swimming. Doing these activities, especially in the early morning, will keep your heart pumping while keeping you cool and out of the hottest hours of the day!
Exercise in increments. If you prefer working out during the day, try exercising in short 10-minute increments at a time. Get creative. Keeping in motion doesn’t have to only include formal forms of exercise. It can include all of the things that you normally do or things that you never expected. Just step it up a notch. Clean the whole house from top to bottom. Put on music and see how fast you can complete the task. Take up gardening, dance to your favorite music, or stretch each morning to get your blood flowing.
Stay inside. When all else fails, and you need a break from the heat, you can always make your own DIY gym inside with a bit of creativity. Gallon water jugs can be transformed into weights and your stairs can serve as your own personal stair climber machine.
Stay hydrated*. Proper water intake is critical when exercising, especially in warmer weather. It is important to drink water before and during your workout. If you experience symptoms of dehydration such as thirst, headache, muscle cramps, or fatigue, take a break and replenish your fluids as soon as possible.
*We recommend drinking 64 ounces of plain water each day. Talk with your healthcare provider prior to changing the amount of water you drink as it can affect certain health conditions and medications.